Check out the ISI Lecture Calendar. I'm on there... speaking on my usual topic, "Bringing Conservative Principles to Your Campus."
Right now, I'm scheduled to give talks to conservative groups on the following campuses:
- Dickinson College (Sept 9)
- Villanova University (Sept 21)
- Palm Beach Atlantic (Oct 27)
More dates and schools to come...
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
A City Lost? A Spirit Broken?
As we all know by now, Hurricane Katrina pounded the Gulf Coast, killed hundreds of people (and possibly thousands, fears New Orleans' Mayor) and destroyed tens of thousands of homes. A still greater fear is upon us... did the storm destroy - or worse - annihilate a major U.S. city?
One thing is for sure, New Orleans will never be the same again... but will it return to its former days as the "Big Easy," famous for Mardi Gras, a mix of french and cajun cuisine, where one truly feels a down-to-earth, laid back, Southern charm mixed with a bit of French aristocracy. This is yet to be seen.
For now, our thoughts and prayers are with the millions of people of New Orleans, for those that made it safe out of the city but have no place left to return to those still stranded in a flooded home, an interstate highway, or some other piece of high land they can find among the remnants of a now "lost city" to those whose souls have perished from this earth because of this storm, that they may all find the comforts and mercy of an all-forgiving God.
We can only hope that whatever destruction this storm wreaked, that it will not destroy the souls of a city, or even that of a nation that reaches out to help those in need of physical and spiritual assistance. New Orleans, we reach out to you during your time of need and we hope to pull you up so that your city, and your spirit, will never be lost, even in these desperate times.
One thing is for sure, New Orleans will never be the same again... but will it return to its former days as the "Big Easy," famous for Mardi Gras, a mix of french and cajun cuisine, where one truly feels a down-to-earth, laid back, Southern charm mixed with a bit of French aristocracy. This is yet to be seen.
For now, our thoughts and prayers are with the millions of people of New Orleans, for those that made it safe out of the city but have no place left to return to those still stranded in a flooded home, an interstate highway, or some other piece of high land they can find among the remnants of a now "lost city" to those whose souls have perished from this earth because of this storm, that they may all find the comforts and mercy of an all-forgiving God.
We can only hope that whatever destruction this storm wreaked, that it will not destroy the souls of a city, or even that of a nation that reaches out to help those in need of physical and spiritual assistance. New Orleans, we reach out to you during your time of need and we hope to pull you up so that your city, and your spirit, will never be lost, even in these desperate times.
Thursday, August 25, 2005
I thought I felt 18 again
I just went to this website: http://www.realage.com
It's interesting. You put in all these statistics and information (by answering questions) about your health and lifestyle, a lot of different factors. They then "calculate" your "real age" as opposed to your "calendar age". I suppose if you smoke and engage in certain behaviors, your "real age" goes up.
Well, I must be living a healthy and happy life. My "real age" calculated to be 18.4! That means that I'm 9.2 years younger than my "calendar age". Ahh, I thought I felt 18 again.
It's interesting. You put in all these statistics and information (by answering questions) about your health and lifestyle, a lot of different factors. They then "calculate" your "real age" as opposed to your "calendar age". I suppose if you smoke and engage in certain behaviors, your "real age" goes up.
Well, I must be living a healthy and happy life. My "real age" calculated to be 18.4! That means that I'm 9.2 years younger than my "calendar age". Ahh, I thought I felt 18 again.
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Welcome to Today's College Culture
"MY NAME IS MICHAEL VOCINO AND I LIKE DICK!"
What's that headline all about? Well, it is exactly the introductory words used by a faculty member at the University of Rhode Island, Michael Vocino, to introduce himself to his students on the first day of class.
As most of my readers know full well, the atmosphere on today's college campuses can sometimes get... well, strange. Nathaniel Nelson, an ISI Campus Representative at the University of Rhode Island just graduated this past spring and will be enrolling in a graduate program at another university in a nearby state.
Earlier this year, Nathaniel informed me of his encounter with a professor at URI and I pointed him in the direction of Students for Academic Freedom. Nathaniel attended ISI's Cicero's Podium debate at Wheaton College on "academic freedom", where he spoke to both of the debate's participants, David Horowitz of SAF and Roger Bowen, of the AAUP, about his story. Both were appalled and both have been trying to help him.
Horowitz allowed Nathaniel to write an article and publish it on FrontPageMag.com. After the article was published on August 12, Nathaniel's former professor at URI, Michael Vocino, responded. Both the response and the link to the first article by Nathaniel can be found here:
A Confession of Guilt?
I will warn you, it's quite disturbing. But, worth the read despite the length. Nathaniel wanted me to thank everyone at ISI for being a place where students can find a voice of reason in the sometimes bizarre world that is today's college campus. I think this story continues to demonstrate that we have a long road ahead as far as making a change in the culture on college campuses, needless to say, a change in the classroom too.
What's that headline all about? Well, it is exactly the introductory words used by a faculty member at the University of Rhode Island, Michael Vocino, to introduce himself to his students on the first day of class.
As most of my readers know full well, the atmosphere on today's college campuses can sometimes get... well, strange. Nathaniel Nelson, an ISI Campus Representative at the University of Rhode Island just graduated this past spring and will be enrolling in a graduate program at another university in a nearby state.
Earlier this year, Nathaniel informed me of his encounter with a professor at URI and I pointed him in the direction of Students for Academic Freedom. Nathaniel attended ISI's Cicero's Podium debate at Wheaton College on "academic freedom", where he spoke to both of the debate's participants, David Horowitz of SAF and Roger Bowen, of the AAUP, about his story. Both were appalled and both have been trying to help him.
Horowitz allowed Nathaniel to write an article and publish it on FrontPageMag.com. After the article was published on August 12, Nathaniel's former professor at URI, Michael Vocino, responded. Both the response and the link to the first article by Nathaniel can be found here:
A Confession of Guilt?
I will warn you, it's quite disturbing. But, worth the read despite the length. Nathaniel wanted me to thank everyone at ISI for being a place where students can find a voice of reason in the sometimes bizarre world that is today's college campus. I think this story continues to demonstrate that we have a long road ahead as far as making a change in the culture on college campuses, needless to say, a change in the classroom too.
Monday, August 15, 2005
The Gator Standard is back!
Congratulations to Editor-in-Chief, Matt Melone on renewing a conservative voice at the University of Florida with The Gator Standard!
It's still a work in progress, but it's a great move in the "right" direction.
It's still a work in progress, but it's a great move in the "right" direction.
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Republican Party: STOP THE SPENDING!!
What is the deal? I think I've had it with the amount of federal spending that is going on - and all with a REPUBLICAN MAJORITY in the House, the Senate, and a Republican-controlled White House.
President Bush just signed a $286.4 Billion highway bill... and its loaded with "plenty of cash with some 6,000 pet projects," according to MSNBC.com.
Every time Bush starts to make me happy again, he and the Republican Party go and piss on my parade. Bush made me ecstatic a couple weeks ago with the nomination of John Roberts to the Suprememe Court bench. And now? He goes and signs a HUGE SPENDING BELL that WE DIDNT NEED!!
Every time I look, highways are getting worked on... and the states spend ENOUGH on them. Highway 52 right here in Wilmington just got re-paved. Did it need to? I doubt this bill has anything to do with highways around me, but who knows. The point is, every dollar of taxpayer money we spend, we better be spending it for good reason. And 286 Billion Dollars is INSANE!
I am going to have to start watching who I vote for. Neither party satisfies me any more. I agree with Republicans about 70% of the time and almost never with Democrats. But, federal spending on this level, with the budget deficit as much as it is, and taxes as high as they still are, is just insane.
Word to my party: STOP THE SPENDING!!!!
President Bush just signed a $286.4 Billion highway bill... and its loaded with "plenty of cash with some 6,000 pet projects," according to MSNBC.com.
Every time Bush starts to make me happy again, he and the Republican Party go and piss on my parade. Bush made me ecstatic a couple weeks ago with the nomination of John Roberts to the Suprememe Court bench. And now? He goes and signs a HUGE SPENDING BELL that WE DIDNT NEED!!
Every time I look, highways are getting worked on... and the states spend ENOUGH on them. Highway 52 right here in Wilmington just got re-paved. Did it need to? I doubt this bill has anything to do with highways around me, but who knows. The point is, every dollar of taxpayer money we spend, we better be spending it for good reason. And 286 Billion Dollars is INSANE!
I am going to have to start watching who I vote for. Neither party satisfies me any more. I agree with Republicans about 70% of the time and almost never with Democrats. But, federal spending on this level, with the budget deficit as much as it is, and taxes as high as they still are, is just insane.
Word to my party: STOP THE SPENDING!!!!
Sunday, August 07, 2005
The Awe of Natural Wonders
As I reflect back on my family vacation this past week, the one thing that stands out to me is the Niagra Falls. Yes, Toronto was a great city... and the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY was some place I've always wanted to go and finally did... and I enjoyed the time with my family in the water park at Camel Beach in the Poconos of Pennsylvania. I even enjoyed once again reflecting on our nation's history in the Brandywine Valley and at the Constitution Center in Philadelphia... but all that seems so much less compared to Niagra Falls.
When you think about it, the Niagra Falls has been literally "falling" for thousands of years. The first European settlers that came across it was back in the mid-17th century... and I'm sure the American Indians enjoyed its sights and sounds long before that. But, when I sat there looking at the falls and for 2 days just saw millions of gallons falling per second... I thought, "wow". Yes, "wow". I was amazed... first of all, there truly is ALOT of water on this earth. I saw a lot of it fall just in two days at this one place on this huge earth... and it kept coming... we heard the thunder and saw the wonder.
I thought to myself, when we each look at Niagra Falls, how can any one of us doubt that there is a Creator providing for us? I thought back to the story of Genesis, and whether one takes the story literally or not, we cannot doubt the fact that this water came from somewhere and it covers the earth in plentifold. There is more than an abundance of it and this sight surely proves that. Just like in the Genesis story, where "a stream was welling up out of the earth and was watering all the surface of the ground," so too does Niagra Falls show us how the streams of water keep on providing. It demonstrates how God has provided for us in the past, continues to provide for us now and demonstrates the promise that he will continue to provide in the future.
Besides our nourishment, God also provides things here on earth to "dazzle" us (as author Donald Miller puts it). Niagra Falls surely does this. The CN Tower is an amazing structure in Toronto, I loved learning all the history of baseball in Cooperstown, and the American Constitution that was put together in Philadelphia is truly one of the most remarkable documents in human history... but when all of the history and cities are said and done, the natural wonder of Niagra Falls keeps on coming. It is amazing. And, people from all corners of the earth flock to it to get a glimpse, to see it from different angles (above, below, in it, from the side, from hotel rooms, from tall buildings, etc). We have a desire to see nature's wonder and to then wonder to ourselves... how did this get here? ... and yet, we should probably ask the deeper question... WHY is this here?
My friends, it is to show us the awesomeness of our Creator and the good He provides for us, both physically and spiritually. Nothing else comes close to His wonders.
When you think about it, the Niagra Falls has been literally "falling" for thousands of years. The first European settlers that came across it was back in the mid-17th century... and I'm sure the American Indians enjoyed its sights and sounds long before that. But, when I sat there looking at the falls and for 2 days just saw millions of gallons falling per second... I thought, "wow". Yes, "wow". I was amazed... first of all, there truly is ALOT of water on this earth. I saw a lot of it fall just in two days at this one place on this huge earth... and it kept coming... we heard the thunder and saw the wonder.
I thought to myself, when we each look at Niagra Falls, how can any one of us doubt that there is a Creator providing for us? I thought back to the story of Genesis, and whether one takes the story literally or not, we cannot doubt the fact that this water came from somewhere and it covers the earth in plentifold. There is more than an abundance of it and this sight surely proves that. Just like in the Genesis story, where "a stream was welling up out of the earth and was watering all the surface of the ground," so too does Niagra Falls show us how the streams of water keep on providing. It demonstrates how God has provided for us in the past, continues to provide for us now and demonstrates the promise that he will continue to provide in the future.
Besides our nourishment, God also provides things here on earth to "dazzle" us (as author Donald Miller puts it). Niagra Falls surely does this. The CN Tower is an amazing structure in Toronto, I loved learning all the history of baseball in Cooperstown, and the American Constitution that was put together in Philadelphia is truly one of the most remarkable documents in human history... but when all of the history and cities are said and done, the natural wonder of Niagra Falls keeps on coming. It is amazing. And, people from all corners of the earth flock to it to get a glimpse, to see it from different angles (above, below, in it, from the side, from hotel rooms, from tall buildings, etc). We have a desire to see nature's wonder and to then wonder to ourselves... how did this get here? ... and yet, we should probably ask the deeper question... WHY is this here?
My friends, it is to show us the awesomeness of our Creator and the good He provides for us, both physically and spiritually. Nothing else comes close to His wonders.
July 30: The Brandywine Valley
Mom and Dad on the Brandywine River at the Hagley Museum sight in Wilmington, Delaware.
July 31: Philadelphia
My dad and I with another (founding) father, James Madison, at the Constitution Center in Philadelphia.
Aug 2: Cooperstown, NY
"It Takes a Family" to go on vacation... here I am with my parents and one of my brothers, Tony, at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY
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